The flight to Egypt “Mary, love, wake up.” Joseph’s urgent whisper roused me from deep slumber. The kiss he brushed on my temple was both gentle and urgent. Opening my eyes, I was startled by the darkness. The star that stood over our home for two nights had gone dim. But Joseph’s apologetic smile reflected the moonlight streaming onto the roof. “You looked so peaceful. I’m sorry to wake you, but we must flee. I had a dream.” He stood and went to wake Jesus. “An angel told me to get up. He was adamant. Herod is going to search for our Child to kill Him.” Herod is going to…

Feroze’s story Shaking my head in disbelief, I stared at this ragtag cluster of lean-tos, huts, and shanties that comprised this little town of Bethlehem.  Was it truly home to the King of the Jews? But as we hesitated, the light of the star grew in intensity, and it pulsed as if impatient for us to get moving. One look at my companions told me we were of one mind. We didn’t understand, but we were in the right place. No doubt about it. Ihsan had fallen to his knees in worship. “Ihsan,” I said. “Let’s go. You can worship at the feet of the King of Kings.” My son…

Ihsan’s story I can’t tell you what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. I, Ihsan, was one of the magi, renowned for our knowledge and wisdom. We’d been confident we would find the King of the Jews at the palace in Jerusalem. Isn’t that where the king should be? The Prophet Daniel established our caste hundreds of years ago to fulfill a sacred purpose. We’d seen the sign. “I see him, but not now. I look at him, but not near. A star shall appear from Jacob; a scepter shall rise from Israel.” When the star appeared, we gathered our ancestor Daniel’s own treasure and set out for Jerusalem.…

Tobiah’s story I don’t remember how we got to the tower. I couldn’t think about anything but all those angels filling the night sky. “Eliezer, you saw them, too, right?” Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased. Luke 2:14 For the seventh or eighth time, my big brother said, “We all saw them.” He cut me off before I asked my next question. “No, it wasn’t a dream. Hush, now.” Eliezer’s hand on my shoulder gave me the courage to peek into the stable. I don’t know why I was afraid. The angels told us to go find a baby.…

Mary’s story   I cradled my precious baby, the Son of God. Soft, sweet cheeks, perfect little mouth, wispy dark curls. His belly full, he slept like a lamb. Shortly after Joseph brought me to this stable in the base of the watchtower, his aunt Shlomit bustled in. Poking her finger into his chest, she clucked her tongue. Her chin waggled as she upbraided him. “A stable? You brought your wife to a stable to give birth? I couldn’t believe my old eyes when I saw you leading her out here to a. . . This is where animals sleep.” And yet it was cleaner, quieter, and smelled better than…